Gas Block
- Thread starter BPGuru
- Start date
Superlative arms if cost isn’t a concern, Wojtec has ones I really like for 1/2 the price or more, and he’s a good guy to deal with.
There are plenty of cheap gas blocks out there like that one. Save yourself the frustration and get one that adjusts from the front and has detents. It sucks to have to loosen a set screw to change the gas setting. Or be like my neighbor and pull the handguard off to adjust it every time. The Oden Works adjustable is also good for a .223
I have the Odin Works one on my 6mm ARC and it is a nice unit, the adjustment screw is also inconel so it should last a long time. One of the problems with adjustables is that the adjustment screw erodes away and it opens the port back up. Inconel is way more heat resistant than stainless steel or even hardened steel.
I'm not sure who makes it but I recently had seen one that used a collar that you turned to make adjustments, it looked like a pretty slick idea. just stay away from the cheap ones, they seize up and the adjustment screw burns away
I'm not sure who makes it but I recently had seen one that used a collar that you turned to make adjustments, it looked like a pretty slick idea. just stay away from the cheap ones, they seize up and the adjustment screw burns away
I have a seekins on one of my guns and don't care for it. I can't seem to get it to adjust. Doesn't matter if the screw is all the way in or backed out it runs the same.
I have an SLR on a Grendel and I love it. Will be getting another to replace the Seekins soon.
I have an SLR on a Grendel and I love it. Will be getting another to replace the Seekins soon.
Wojtek has a click adjust one out now that I'd like to try. I have 3 of their blocks on rifles and definitely think they're well built.
Can depend on the round and gas system. My Oden on a rifle .308 works great...same block on a 6.5 Creed was not able to turn the gas down far enough. SA block finally tamed it...
Thanks for the inputs. Everyone mentioned the problems I have had on another rifle with set screws and inability to adjust without forearm removal. I will search the ones mentioned. Rather have quality than go cheap and suffer thru those issues again. Appreciate your feedback.
I have 2 hera arms handguards on rifles with the Wojtek blocks and I can access the lock screws through the handguard vents
Get the superlative arms, it's the best available IMO. SLR will carbon up and not adjust anymore if you don't service them.
The SA block is a superior design in venting the very gases that cause corrosion and buildup instead of trying to block and trap them in the block like every other adjustable on earth.
The SA block is a superior design in venting the very gases that cause corrosion and buildup instead of trying to block and trap them in the block like every other adjustable on earth.
Thanks guys,
I too am looking for an adjustable gas block and jumped on a Superlative Arms. Appreciate the input.
I too am looking for an adjustable gas block and jumped on a Superlative Arms. Appreciate the input.
The only thing I'll tell you about Superlative Arms gas blocks is the tube 'wing' at the top isn't symmetrical, as the mechanism takes more space on one side. It was a very tight fit with my ADM handguard (very slim with a gas tube slot that's not very wide) to avoid contact with barrel whip. Just be mindful of this if you run a slim handguard. Once I got it all setup, it runs great. I shoot suppressed and really appreciate the ability to tune the rifle. I do suggest turning it one click both directions every few hundred rounds, or it the adjustment will seize a little (I shoot in bleed-off mode) - nothing bad like a typical adjustable, but it won't be perfectly free. If you move it a click forward/backward every few hundred, it won't happen. If it does, no biggie, it's not hard-locked, just not as easy to turn as before. I simply move it every cleaning cycle, and have no issues at all.
I bought SLR based on everyones recommendations for my 6.8 build. I am 1 click open and still over gassed, suppressed.
I don't know if I have a gas block issue or what. About 300 rounds on it. I guess I need to disassemble and clean.
Edit:
Taking the hand guard off I see that the adjustment screw is blocked by carbon I assume. I am 1/16-1/8" from closing so I do not know where my adjustment is. Will have to take apart tonight.
I don't know if I have a gas block issue or what. About 300 rounds on it. I guess I need to disassemble and clean.
Edit:
Taking the hand guard off I see that the adjustment screw is blocked by carbon I assume. I am 1/16-1/8" from closing so I do not know where my adjustment is. Will have to take apart tonight.
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Exactly. Mine is under the handguard in bleed-off mode, as well. You can spray some cleaner there if you really feel like it, or pop the handguard off if you must scrub, but it's a non-issue imo. Either way, you can set it to restrictive mode as noted, but there's really no reason to do that unless you just want to, or bleed-off doesn't bleed enough with an oversized port.
I've been using SLR since their initial models came out and never had issues with the adjustment screw seizing from carbon lock. To quantify that statement though, after every firing session, I always run the adjustment screw out fully, close fully, 2 times, then back to the setting for that particular platform. I use the SLR's on 300BLK (10.1" pistol & 16" carbine) , .223 Wylde (16" carbine), 556 NATO (7" carbine, 16" mid), .308Win (16" carbine) and will use them on my pending 6.5 CM (20" rifle) and 6ARC (18" rifle) builds. All of the builds are carbine builds and use stand weight buffers, springs and M16 BCG's. The .308 uses Aero's standard carbine buffer & springs and their Gen1 BCG. Since day 1 they have been fully functional and reliable with COTS ammo, and my handloads. Two recommendations I make for ANY BRAND of AGB, are before assembling, always check the gas block with the the adjustment fully closed to ensure it actually shuts off and has no gap when closed. The second is to also check how many clicks to reach a fully opened and unobstructed gas port. By adjusting out beyond the edge of the AGB's port, it creates a small amount of extra space that allows for a greater "volume" of gas inside the gas blocks body to feed into the gas tube. As for being able to reach the adjustment screw from the front easier, I match the handguard length to correspond to the gas system used so even a regular allen key can access the screw (a benefit gained is less weight overall). Just my observation and preference, YMMV.
P.S. I ALWAYS do the initial firing and testing with COTS or MIL ammo to get a baseline of the settings to use with subsequent comparison for my handloads.
P.S. I ALWAYS do the initial firing and testing with COTS or MIL ammo to get a baseline of the settings to use with subsequent comparison for my handloads.
The new Seekins gas block with the lever is an awesome option for switching from a can to no can.
When doing my suppressed 300 blk pistol build recently, I wanted the best AGB I could get, and my research narrowed it down to the SLR and the Superlative Arms.
As far as I read, the only reason to go SA over SLR was if you wanted the bleed off feature, as the SLR has finer adjustments and can be had in titanium for the lightest AGB on the market. As I am running suppressed, I have no use for the bleed off feature as the venting of expanding gases at the gas block produces a loud sound signature of its own and increases the sound signature when running suppressed (obviously) -someone also did a sound test on this and confirmed this is the case -can't remember who, but a google search should find the graphs. So between the SLR and the SA in restrict mode, it was an easy choice. I got the SLR. Hope this is helpful.
As far as I read, the only reason to go SA over SLR was if you wanted the bleed off feature, as the SLR has finer adjustments and can be had in titanium for the lightest AGB on the market. As I am running suppressed, I have no use for the bleed off feature as the venting of expanding gases at the gas block produces a loud sound signature of its own and increases the sound signature when running suppressed (obviously) -someone also did a sound test on this and confirmed this is the case -can't remember who, but a google search should find the graphs. So between the SLR and the SA in restrict mode, it was an easy choice. I got the SLR. Hope this is helpful.
I'll give my feedback having Superlative gas blocks. No suppressor makes the rifle 'quiet'. The bleed off feature is actually best with suppressed usage from my own personal testing, because you do get less fouling in the upper (I've tried both modes now, on a SBR 10.5" and 18" FL, suppressed with the same suppressor), and you get less port-pop, which lowers sound at the shooter's ears (mine). I much prefer this. The difference to bystanders is negligible, as I asked someone to stand off to the side and listen for the difference. I'm sure there's a measurable difference in dB, but honestly, I shoot suppressed for my own ears - supersonic rounds are supersonic rounds, and it's easy to pinpoint the source. It's likely a different discussion with subs.
So I got my Superlative gas block on there. Fired a round with it in OFF mode... fine, didn't cycle. Went to open it up and the damn allen screw stripped out, using the allen wrench provided with the block. Couldn't get it to move using any other drivers after that.
Has anyone experienced this issue? I didn't tighten the screw especially tight, just a light twist to tighten.
Has anyone experienced this issue? I didn't tighten the screw especially tight, just a light twist to tighten.
No, but you shouldn't be 'tightening' it at all, either. It should rotate with basically no force, you'll feel 'clicks'. The bolts they use are soft material from my experience (I have a clamp on and swapped all the bolts myself, after breaking one after re-using it a few times. I use a torque wrench, it just didn't survive 5 or 6 moves - but keep in mind these are actually being tightened).
If you tightened the gas adjustment bolt at all in the closed position, you probably froze it closed. I don't have any slop in the hex head on mine, but I haven't tried their hex wrench. You'd have to apply a good bit of torque to round one out, so just sounds like you actually had tightened yours.
yeah, this is what happened. Its trashed. Well, live and learn. Hopefully can find another 0.875" adjustable block in stock somewhere as all AR parts appear tough to get right now.
thanks for the reply.
No problem, but you should be able to fix it. You'll just have to tap it and remove it (or drill it out with an undersized bit) and then just get a replacement. Once trick I've seen a lot of people have good luck with is cutting a slot into the bolt head with a Dremel or something, then using a flat head screwdriver. Just make sure to use lots of PBlaster or something prior, and let it soak, to break any carbon locking.
I think it's a specialized bolt, but you should be able to find it on McMaster Carr, or perhaps Superlative Arms will send/sell you a replacement. Give them a call and see what they think. Good luck!
When using superlative arms adjustable gas block; is there alot of heat or build up near or in front of the block when venting?
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